6309 Seiko turtle movement replacement
Well, I thought I would try swapping the original movement with a new NH36, but after all the time and trouble, the original dials alignment pins don’t line up into the NH36. And the rings that support the movement don’t seem to be exactly compatible with the new movement either. Had to give up on that for now. If anyone out there has a better solution for a new reliable Seiko movement to go in my 1984 turtle, I’m all ears! Thanks.
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Noah
The HVAC trade has (barely) funded my addiction for horsepower, shoes and watches. Champagne taste on a boxed wine budget.
Bend,OR
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From my experience, there are two different NH36 configurations. One is specifically for the crown at the 3, and the other is strictly for the crown at 3.8. Also, I was told once by the person that sold a 6309-7002 to me with the crown at 4, that an NH36 would work but the date wheel would have to be swapped. I'd check into that. EDIT: I just compared the pic of your movement to one I have in stock for a diver with the crown at 3, and I believe they are identical. It's all in the relationship between the crown and the movement ring, the plastic piece where the dial legs fit into.
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I think your better option would be to have the 6309 serviced. You're going to have trouble with the day window alignment and will need to use dial dots to secure the dial, as you already know. You will need a custom spacer for the movement. You may have trouble with crown stem height as well, and have trouble finding a crown to fit the case, as the original 6309 crown stem won't work for the NH36.
Is your 6309 not working?
Thera are more than one version of NH36. I think yo need the one with the crown at 4.1 check specifications. Also can be the one with crown at 3.8
Why don't you just have the 6309 movement serviced. The NH 36 is derived from the old 7000 series & was not designed to go in a 6309 Turtle. This watch is worth more with it's original movement!
There are options available here. I've worked on dozens of 6309 movements and I'm pretty sure we could sort something
Hmm, I'm interested in your findings as I have been planning to pick up a land turtle and swap out the movement to an NH36
From my experience, there are two different NH36 configurations. One is specifically for the crown at the 3, and the other is strictly for the crown at 3.8. Also, I was told once by the person that sold a 6309-7002 to me with the crown at 4, that an NH36 would work but the date wheel would have to be swapped. I'd check into that. EDIT: I just compared the pic of your movement to one I have in stock for a diver with the crown at 3, and I believe they are identical. It's all in the relationship between the crown and the movement ring, the plastic piece where the dial legs fit into.
Thank you. I did attempt to purchase a 4:00 version but maybe I need to double check that it truly is. I appreciate the info
I think your better option would be to have the 6309 serviced. You're going to have trouble with the day window alignment and will need to use dial dots to secure the dial, as you already know. You will need a custom spacer for the movement. You may have trouble with crown stem height as well, and have trouble finding a crown to fit the case, as the original 6309 crown stem won't work for the NH36.
Wow, I didn’t know it would be that much trouble. Thank you for the knowledge!
Is your 6309 not working?
It will work once wound, but it doesn’t keep time very well and the larger issue is that it seems to be skipping or stripped out when you attempt to set the time. It’s real tough to move the hands with the crown pulled out.
Thera are more than one version of NH36. I think yo need the one with the crown at 4.1 check specifications. Also can be the one with crown at 3.8
I will double check that. Thank you very much!
Why don't you just have the 6309 movement serviced. The NH 36 is derived from the old 7000 series & was not designed to go in a 6309 Turtle. This watch is worth more with it's original movement!
I will look into that. I figured they would tell me that it’s not worth the servicing cost, but that assumption may be way off
Hmm, I'm interested in your findings as I have been planning to pick up a land turtle and swap out the movement to an NH36
I’ll try to keep you up to date!
There are options available here. I've worked on dozens of 6309 movements and I'm pretty sure we could sort something
It sounds like I shouldn’t give up on the movement then. It doesn’t have any corrosion and I don’t think it’s trashed completely. It just skips when I’m trying to set the time
Like others have said, try to keep your Turtle with a 6309. You have options for servicing, including buying used movements for parts.
Or you can buy a NOS movement: https://www.ebay.com/itm/266694088176?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=mW7jo9OkQ_G&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=weu3hwyzspw&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY
Wow, I didn’t know it would be that much trouble. Thank you for the knowledge!
It may be possible to get it to work by making all those modifications, but I think you would be a lot happier with a serviced, well running 6309 in it. NH36s are a lot cheaper than a service, so I understand it's tempting. Unfortunately, they're just not compatible.
If any watchmaker tells you that the watch is not worth a service, they have no idea what they're talking about. It would be best to walk away and find someone else to help you. Those original 6306/6309 turtles are iconic, and it's well worth servicing the movement.
So, for the dial, you can cut the pins and grind down the rest with a file or dremel tool. Use adhesive such as double sided tape to adhere the dial to the movement. Many mod sites sell the adhesive meant for bezel inserts, works great. You just have to eyeball the alignment. Practice makes perfect. Just an option.
It sounds like I shouldn’t give up on the movement then. It doesn’t have any corrosion and I don’t think it’s trashed completely. It just skips when I’m trying to set the time
Where are you in the world?
I will look into that. I figured they would tell me that it’s not worth the servicing cost, but that assumption may be way off
I've got one & had mine serviced. It cost £170 in the UK. Your Turtle has got to be worth more than that. You can find parts for these as well if necessary.
I've got one & had mine serviced. It cost £170 in the UK. Your Turtle has got to be worth more than that. You can find parts for these as well if necessary.
I'll charge a hell of a lot less than £170 to service a 6309!!
Like others have said, try to keep your Turtle with a 6309. You have options for servicing, including buying used movements for parts.
Or you can buy a NOS movement: https://www.ebay.com/itm/266694088176?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=mW7jo9OkQ_G&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=weu3hwyzspw&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY
Thank you!
It may be possible to get it to work by making all those modifications, but I think you would be a lot happier with a serviced, well running 6309 in it. NH36s are a lot cheaper than a service, so I understand it's tempting. Unfortunately, they're just not compatible.
If any watchmaker tells you that the watch is not worth a service, they have no idea what they're talking about. It would be best to walk away and find someone else to help you. Those original 6306/6309 turtles are iconic, and it's well worth servicing the movement.
Thank you for your input!
So, for the dial, you can cut the pins and grind down the rest with a file or dremel tool. Use adhesive such as double sided tape to adhere the dial to the movement. Many mod sites sell the adhesive meant for bezel inserts, works great. You just have to eyeball the alignment. Practice makes perfect. Just an option.
Cool. I appreciate that info!
Where are you in the world?
West coast, US
I've got one & had mine serviced. It cost £170 in the UK. Your Turtle has got to be worth more than that. You can find parts for these as well if necessary.
Nice thank you
I'll charge a hell of a lot less than £170 to service a 6309!!
I'd expect nothing less ;-)
West coast, US
Bit of a trek to get it to me. I'm sure there are good watchmakers in your area who would be able to sort that 6309
Bit of a trek to get it to me. I'm sure there are good watchmakers in your area who would be able to sort that 6309
I will speak to a watchmaker this Friday and see if I can drop it off to them. I will report back after speaking with them. I appreciate your advice so far!